2 - SUNY Orange

ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGEPhysical Therapist Assistant DepartmentMiddletown, NY 10940Information Packet for Prospective PTA StudentsThis packet serves to provide students interested in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program with pertinentinformation regarding the program mission, role of the PTA, program requirements, academic course work, costs,attendance policy, student support services, and important phone numbers.Program Mission:It is the mission of the Orange County Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program to prepare thestudents in its curriculum in such a manner that they may graduate and assume their place in the community andpractice within the health care system, with skill and compassion. It seeks to educate these students in accordancewith the requirements of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and the College in general. (See Orange CountyCommunity College Catalog.)Orange County Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. In accordance withFederal regulations, the New York State Human Rights Law & Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,Orange County Community College does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability,marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender or sexual orientation in employment or in the educationalprograms and activities which it operates.Program Goals & Objectives:1. Graduates of our program will possess entry level skills as determined by the Commission on Accreditationin Physical Therapy Education.2. Graduates of our program will be able to work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapistin an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner becoming an integral member of the health care team.3. Graduates of our program will demonstrate appropriate critical thinking and problem solving skills in theirrole as a physical therapist assistant.4. Graduates of our program will demonstrate an understanding of the New York State Education Law as itrelates to the provision of Physical Therapy services.5. Graduates will also demonstrate an awareness of the existence of varying practice laws from state to state.6. Graduates will successfully complete the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTA’s.7. Students/graduates of our program will develop the skills necessary to pursue lifelong learning needed forpersonal and professional growth.8. Students/graduates of our program will be aware of their responsibility to promote the profession throughmembership in the APTA, attending local and national meetings and conferences, and participation incommunity events.Role of the PTA:The physical therapist assistant works with and under the direction of the physical therapist in a wide variety ofhealth care settings. These include hospitals, private offices, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, fitnesscenters, and home care settings.A patient care program is planned by the physical therapist and may be carried out jointly with the physicaltherapist assistant. Duties of the physical therapist assistant include: training patients in therapeutic exercises andactivities of daily living, wound care, use of whirlpool and electrical stimulation during treatment procedures,application of heat and cold modalities, patient and family education, wheelchair activities, use of walkers andcrutches, assisting the physical therapist in performing patient assessments and complex treatment procedures. Thephysical therapist assistant also monitors the patient’s responses to treatment, documents relevant aspects of patientcare, and maintains ongoing communication with the supervising physical therapist, as well as other health careprofessionals.

Academic Course Sequence:1 st Semester (Fall 1 st Year) 2 nd Semester (Spring 1 st Year)ENG101 Freshman English I 3 ENG102 Freshman English II 3BIO111 A&P I 4 BIO112 A&P II 4PTA103 Intro to Physical Therapy 2 PTA102 PTA II 4PTA101 PTA I 4 PTA104 Kinesiology 4PTA105 Med Conditions for the PTA 3 MAT101 Elementary Algebra 3PES100 Concepts Of Phys. Wellness 1 18173 rd Semester (Fall 2 nd Year) 4 th Semester (Spring 2 nd Year)PSY101 General Psychology I 3 PSY220 Developmental Psychology 3PED202 Basic Exercise Physiology 3 PTA202 PTA IV 4PTA201 PTA III 4 PTA208 Contemp Practice for the PTA 3PTA207 Tests & Measure. for PTA 4 PTA206 Clinical Education II 3PTA205 Clinical Education I 3 COM101 Foundations of Communication 317 PES — Physical Education 117SUMMER SESSION (2 nd Year)PTA220 ­ Clinical Education III ­ August Graduation ­ 3 creditsTOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS – 72Admission’s Requirements for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program:The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a selective program requiring specific prerequisites for considerationin the admission process. Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for admission to theprogram:1. High school diploma or GED2. Eligible to take or have completed Freshman English 1 or equivalent3. Eligible to take or have completed Elementary Algebra or equivalent4. GPA: students must attain a minimum GPA of 2.0 but will receive more points for a higher GPA: (4.0­3.75=5 points; 3.74­3.50=4 points; 3.49­3.25­3 points; 3.24­3.00=2 points; 2.99­2.50=1 point)5. Number of acceptable credits completed towards the degree: (28­23 completed = 3 points; 22­18 completed= 2 points; 17­12 completed = 1 point;

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAMSuggested Three Year Sequence(For Students Wishing to Spread the Program Out)Fall Year One• Freshman English I• Anatomy & Physiology I• General Psychology I• Foundations of Communication• Concepts of Physical Wellness• Apply to PTA Program by Feb. 1 (Please note that you are not in the PTA programuntil you have received an acceptance letter to the program. You are considered a “pre­PTA/Biological Science Major” until that time). Please review the admission requirementslocated in the “Viewbook,” as this program has extra requirements.Spring Year One• Freshman English II• Anatomy & Physiology II• Development Psychology I• Elementary Algebra• 1 credit Physical EducationFall Year Two• PTA I• Introduction to Physical Therapy• Medical Conditions for the PTASpring Year Two• PTA II• KinesiologyFall Year Three• PTA III• Basic Exercise Physiology• Clinical Education I• Tests & Measurement Skills for the PTASpring Year Three• PTA IV• Clinical Education II• Contemporary Practice for PTA’sSummer Session• Clinical Education III

Program Requirements:The field of Physical Therapy is demanding. Physical Therapist Assistant students are required to fulfill allprogram requirements, which are guided by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Inorder to meet these requirements, the Physical Therapist Assistant Department has identified the following essentialfunctions which students must possess. These functions are not all­inclusive nor do they reflect what may berequired for employment of the graduate PTA.Observation Skills:1. Students must possess the visual ability to observe a patient’s response to treatment, read orset parameters on physical therapy equipment, observe and assess the environment, gatherinformation from medical records and professional literature.2. Students must possess the auditory ability to recognize and respond to a patient’s or coworker’svoice, equipment timers, and alarms.3. Students must be able to use equipment to assess blood pressure, pulse rate, and breath sounds.4. Students must possess the tactile ability to palpate surface anatomy, palpate pulses, detectskin temperature, and adjust physical therapy equipment.Communication Skills:1. Students must be able to communicate in English in both written and oral fashion withfaculty, patients, co­workers and family members using appropriate terminology, accuracy,and efficiency.2. Students must possess the ability to recognize, interpret, and respond to nonverbal behaviorof self and others.Motor Skills:1. Students must have the motor control necessary to safely transfer a 150 lb. patient from thebed to the wheelchair using a maximal assist stand pivot transfer.2. Students must have the motor control necessary to safely walk with patients and provide gaittraining.3. Students must have the ability to lift 50 lbs. and carry 25 lbs.4. Students must have the motor control necessary to adjust knobs on physical therapyequipment, perform manual therapy techniques, adjust equipment such as wheelchairs, andutilize physical therapy equipment such as goniometers, grip gauges, and free weights.5. Students must be able to obtain and maintain CPR certification for the Professional Rescueror the equivalent (BLS for Health Care Providers).6. Students must be able to use proper body mechanics for all skills related to physical therapy.7. Students must be able to demonstrate the ability to apply universal precautions whenrendering physical therapy treatment.8. Students must have the motor control necessary to provide for the patient’s safety in allphysical therapy activities.9. Students must possess the endurance necessary to perform 40 hour work weeks during theirclinical education courses.Intellectual Conceptual Skills:1. Students must be able to attain a 75% (C­) or better in all Physical Therapist Assistant corecourses as well as a “C­“ in Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Basic Exercise Physiology.2. Students must be able to prioritize multiple tasks, integrate information, and make decisions.3. Students must be able to collect, interpret, and assess data about patients.Behavioral Social Skills:

1. Students must be able to interact appropriately with individuals of all ages, genders, races,socio­economic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.2. Students must be able to cope with heavy workloads, patient demands, changes in schedule,and patients who may be terminally ill.3. Students must be able to recognize and respond appropriately to potentially dangeroussituations.4. Students must adhere to the SUNY Orange Student Code of Conduct, Standards of EthicalConduct for Physical Therapist Assistants, Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy, NewYork State Education Law, and the New York State Practice Act in all academic and clinicalsettings.5. Students must maintain patient confidentiality.6. Students must possess the emotional health and stability required to fully utilize intellectualcapabilities, demonstrate good judgement, and render appropriate physical therapytreatment.Program requirements are not altered. Instead, it is the policy of Orange County Community College and thePhysical Therapist Assistant Program to provide reasonable accommodations to students with special needs whorequest them so that they can meet the program requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the officefor Special Services to arrange for an assessment of his/her needs. Students are encouraged to contact theDepartment Chair as early as possible to discuss their particular situation.Physical Examinations:Students must undergo a complete physical by July 31 st of each year enrolled in the PTA core curriculum. Failureto successfully complete the Physical will result in removal from PTA classes and clinics.CPR:Students must maintain certification in “CPR for the Professional Rescuer,” or equivalent, while enrolled in allclinical education courses. This can be taken for credit or in a non­credit fashion. Students who fail to maintainon­going certification will be removed from clinic with a grade of “F.”Student Conduct:The students in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program are expected to adhere to the code of Student Conduct asstated in the SUNY Orange Student Handbook. This code applies for both academic and fieldwork experiences.The faculty and students are also expected to follow the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Physical TherapistAssistants, Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy, New York State Education Law, and the New York StatePractice Act. Failure to adhere to these principles will result in immediate removal from the program.Grades:An overall C average (2.0 CQPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of 75 (C­) is also required in allPTA core courses. A grade of “C­” is also required in Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Basic ExercisePhysiology. Students who have not received a “C­” will be required to repeat these courses as part of thecurriculum sequence. A numerical average between 60%­74% is NOT passing for any PTA core course. Failureto receive a 75% in any core PTA course will prevent you from progressing to the next course in the PTAcurriculum sequence. For Non­Core courses, receiving a failing grade in sequential courses will prevent you fromprogressing to the next course in that particular sequence. For example, a failure in Anatomy & Physiology I willprevent you from going on to the second semester courses within the program as the material in these courses isbased on an understanding of the material covered in Anatomy & Physiology I.Repeat Policy:Departments in the Allied Health and Nursing curricula may, with the approval of the Vice President for Academic

Affairs, designate courses with an (R­1) at the end of the course description in the College Catalog, meaning thatthey may be repeated only once. All courses in the core Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum are designated assuch. If a student withdraws from a course for any reason or fails to attain at least a C­ (75%), the student maypetition to retake a course. The student must seek permission from the Department Chairperson in writing to retakethe course. Permission to retake a course (or two in the same semester) may be granted only once, and only ifspace allows. The core Physical Therapist Assistant courses must be completed within three years of beginning thecore curriculum.Students will be required to audit, as appropriate, sequential Physical Therapist Assistant courses (PTA I­IV) andthe Assessment course prior to repeating a course which they failed. Student must pass the lab practicals on thefirst attempt while auditing a core course. The faculty also reserves the right to require a student to repeat an entirecourse which has undergone significant curriculum revision as well as repeat a clinical education course.* Repeating and auditing courses may have financial aid implications.Classes:Academic classes take place on the Middletown campus. All classes are scheduled in the day time, usuallybetween the hours of 8am and 5pm. Non­core classes (English, Math, Psychology, etc.) may also be taken atnight. PTA classes are only offered in one time period, so there is no choice of time slots. Due to the nature of theprogram, students are required to attend classes and/or clinic five days per week.Clinical Education Courses:Beginning in the third semester, students attend clinical education courses in actual physical therapy settings suchas hospitals, private offices, pediatric settings, nursing homes, etc. These internships are assigned by the AcademicCoordinator for Clinical Education. During the third and fourth semester, students work two full days per week(Tuesdays and Thursdays) in the clinical setting and attend classes in Middletown on the other three days. Uponcompletion of four semesters of academic work, students are required to attend a six week full time clinicaleducation course which takes place during either of the summer sessions, dependent on the available facilities.Hours in clinic vary, and are determined by the clinical setting. For example, clinics may be open 7­3, 8­4, 9­5, 12­8, etc. Students do not receive payment for any of the field work experiences.Attendance Policy:It is the philosophy of the PTA Department faculty and our clinical instructors, that good attendance is crucial inorder to: obtain all didactic material, observe and practice laboratory skills, demonstrate knowledge of coursecomponents, and implement skills/knowledge in the clinical environment. Attendance in all lecture classes andlaboratory sessions is expected. Faculty is authorized by the college to lower grades for poor attendance. This isclearly outlined in the PTA Department Student Handbook which students receive at orientation as well as in allcourse syllabi.Costs:• Textbooks: Approximately $400 per semester for PTA core courses, non­core courses may run anadditional $200­$300 per semester• APTA Membership: $100 annually• PTA Pin: $40• Transportation Costs: Students must pay for all costs associated with attending clinic. This includes gas,tolls, parking, meals, etc.• Lab Coats: Some clinics require that students wear these ($30­$40 each)• Name Tags: $8• Additional Study Aids: BP cuff and stethoscope, CD ROMs, review books, etc.• Physicals, Testing, and Immunizations: $75­$200 per year• Potential Drug Testing and Criminal Background Check fees prior to attending clinical affiliation

• If an injury occurs in the Clinical setting, student may be required by the facility to seek medical attentionfor that injury: the financial responsibility will still belong to the student (whether by personal healthinsurance or by personal payment.)• Clinical Education III is a separately registered course (3 credits) in the Summer Session of the 2 nd yearSUBJECT TO CHANGE (Cost of Certification & NPTE):• $95 application fee for Certification• $50 limited permit (if student wishes to work prior to taking National Physical Therapy Exam)• $365 application fee for NPTE• $50 fee at the test siteStudent Support Services:• Department Resources ­ The PTA Department maintains an extensive in­house library of texts, journals,videos, and CD­ROMs. A student computer with Internet access is available in the PTA Lab. Studentsmay also access the BAT CAVERN which is a computer aided learning facility maintained by the BiologyDepartment, located in BT 109.• Tutoring ­ Tutoring is available through the College’s Tutoring Center, located in the LRC. The PTADepartment maintains a current list of adjunct instructors, recent graduates, and current students who areavailable for tutoring.• The Counseling and Guidance Center ­ Numerous programs and services are available through this center,which is located in the Commons. These include academic advising, counseling, testing services, careerservices, Student Support Services Program, Office of Special Services, Veteran’s Affairs, Center for AdultLifelong Learning, and the Educational Opportunity Program.• Financial Aid Office ­ A variety of programs, loans, and scholarships are available to students. Eligibilityis based on academic progress, family income, and/or assets.Important Department Contacts:Dr. Maria Masker, PT 341­4290Department Chairmaria.masker@sunyorange.eduKaren Stephens, PT, DPT 341­4309Professorkaren.stephens@sunyorange.eduRhoda Collins, PT 341­4280Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education rhoda.collins@sunyorange.eduMargaret Boyle 341­4291Department Secretarymargaret.boyle@sunyorange.eduRevised 5/07